Talab - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

After attending the party, they left the venue. Rain began to pour, drenching the city in a curtain of silver. The weather turned deeply romantic. Yet, inside the car, without saying a word or even touching, an unexplainable intimacy filled the space between them.
To break the silence, John played a song. But fate had its own plans—the song that played was a love story.
L'âme en peine
Il vit mais parle à peine
Il l'attend
Devant cette photo d'antan...
As the melancholic French lyrics played, Arohi's eyes softened.
John glanced at her and smiled gently, his fingers brushing hers.
John:
"You know what these lyrics mean, Arohi?"
Arohi:
"Ji... no. Could you translate them for me?"
John:
"Yeah, sure... sweetheart."
A lost soul...
He lives but barely speaks.
He waits in front of an old photo—
He still believes in love.
He sees her everywhere,
Stands with a rose in hand,
Hoping she returns.
Love story...
Arohi:
"Wow... it's so beautiful. John ji, do you want to hear my favorite song?"
John: (handing her his phone)
"Of course, sweetheart. Choose anything you like."
Arohi smiled shyly and searched for her comfort song. She hit play: Tum Hi Ho.
As the soulful Hindi lyrics filled the car, John rested his head back and closed his eyes.
"You are my love,
I feel you in my heart...
If you're not here,
I'm all alone..."
"...Tere liye hi jiya main,
Khudko jo yun de diya hai..."
John:
"This is such a romantic song. Will you dance with me, sweetheart?"
Arohi: (blushing)
"Hehe... it's raining, John ji. I don't even know how to dance."
John:
"No need to worry, my wife. Just follow my steps... and trust the rhythm."
Arohi:
"But... the rain..."
John stepped out, walked to her side, and opened the door. Rain trickled down his black shirt.
John: (extending his hand)
"Trust me. Come out, meri jaan."
With a hesitant smile, she gave him her hand. As he pulled her close, their chests touched—eyes locked in the downpour. Tum Hi Ho played in the background. Thunder roared above, but neither flinched. The world had fallen away.
John wrapped one hand around her waist, and with the other, brought her hand to his heart. She felt it thumping, wild and loud. They began to sway—two bodies, one rhythm, in the rain.
As her back arched slightly, he caressed it gently. Her breath caught. Her hands tightened around his shirt as she held on, heart racing. He kissed her forehead. Then her eyes. Her cheek. Her nose. Finally, his gaze dropped to her lips. His eyes asked for permission.
She nodded. Barely.
And then—it happened.
Their lips met.
It was soft. Then wild. He kissed her like a starving man tasting heaven. She felt his fingers squeeze her waist and a shiver ran down her spine. When he deepened the kiss and entered her mouth, she gasped—he tasted like mint and rain. The kiss lasted five minutes, but felt like forever.
When they finally broke apart, both were panting.
John:
"Wife... that felt like heaven."
Arohi's cheeks were crimson as she buried her face in his chest.
John: (smirking)
"My little wife is shy. Let's go home... before this turns into something else."
⸻
Arohi's POV:
It was unexpected to lose my first kiss this way. But it felt like something out of the stories I wrote. Magical. Unreal. The way he held me... I felt like the most beautiful woman alive.
Still, I remember that dinner night when my mom whispered with stone-cold eyes—
"You were just a deal. We came for the money. That's all."
That day, my world collapsed. But today... John pieced it back together.
⸻
John's POV:
She was so soft, her lips fragile like rose petals. She was my first kiss. I'm proud to have given it to her.
But... am I falling for her? Or is it just lust? No, no. This is a deal. Just a deal. I'll divorce her.
Yet his heart throbbed in rebellion.
He opened the car door for her. She sat inside, cold and shivering. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed her again—wildly.
⸻
Arohi's POV (continued):
My eyes fluttered shut. The rain whispered its own song. We sat in silence—yet it spoke louder than words. His fingers reached for mine. Gently. I turned away. I couldn't let myself fall. The closer I got to him, the more pieces I'd lose.
He cupped her face gently after the kiss.
John:
"Are you okay?"
She simply nodded.
And the rest of the drive passed in utter silence. But inside the car, two hearts screamed.
⸻
Author POV:
That drive was the longest of John's life. His knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel too tightly. His heart cried Arohi is innocent. But his mind barked She's not. She's part of a deal. His soul ached to scream.
On the other hand, Arohi thanked the heavens. She believed she'd found not just a husband—but love. Her heart whispered, I can't wait to live my whole life with this man...
But little did she know, the biggest war wasn't between families.
It was between heart and brain.
And that war?
Is always the most dangerous one.